Rock stars in the making: Suzanne Le Mignot's jeweled creations.Displayed in a downtown Chicago jewelry store window was a stunning smoky topaz stone that first romanced Suzanne Le Mignot. She loved the jewel but hated the setting. Le Mignot decided to buy the ring anyway, sketch a design to her satisfaction, and have the gem reset. The newscaster for Chicago's WBBM Channel 2 received several compliments that led her to think: 'This is a sign. Maybe this is a gift I didn't know about." By the next year, Le Mignot, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate canal system, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city's population is described as metropolitan, where diverse culture is commonplace. According to 2006 U.S. , native who had never taken an art class, had fully immersed herself in the hobby of designing jewelry and developed a growing clientele. "It's a hobby that's turned into a creative outlet," says Le Mignot, who today transforms stones such as peridot peridot or precious olivine Gem-quality, transparent green olivine. Very large crystals are found in Myanmar; peridots from the U.S. are seldom larger than two carats. , yellow sapphire, and brilliant green tsavorite into 18-karat gold and sterling silver creations for individual clients and upscale Chicago boutiques Geneva Seal The Geneva Seal (E.), Poinçon de Genève (F.), or Genfer Siegel (G.) is the quality seal of the City and Canton of Geneva. The term is often mistakenly translated from the French as the Geneva hallmark, as the word means punch and is the word used for hallmark. and Steve Quick Jeweler. Le Mignot seeks out gems that embody certain qualities or traits and provoke emotion, assigning names such as "Contessa" and "Queen" to her creations. Amethyst amethyst (ăm`əthĭst) [Gr.,=non-drunkenness], variety of quartz, violet to purple in color, used as a gem. It is the most highly valued of the semiprecious quartzes. . is associated with power, Swiss blue topaz is said to promote calm and well-being, garnet garnet, name applied to a group of isomorphic minerals crystallizing in the cubic system. They are used chiefly as gems and as abrasives (as in garnet paper). symbolizes strength. "I started researching and found meaning in everything," she says. "Honestly, sometimes people are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. something--tranquility or confidence. It's an added benefit for the wearer." Le Mignot's treasure hunting treasure hunting Medical malpractice A popular term for a search for the 'needle in a haystack' by a plaintiff's pathologist-expert in a lawsuit for a 'missed'–ie, false negative pap smear that subsequently proved to have cancer takes her mostly New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. trade shows, and Chicago's Jeweler's Row. Designs sell for between $650 and $13,000 (more for custom jobs). Fifty percent of the proceeds from her 'Giving" collection benefit Chicago's Rainbow House for battered women and their children. GETTING STARTED Le Mignot offers several tips for aspiring designers: Protect yourself--and your work. Because a designer purchases stones and settings up front, Le Mignot strongly suggests having clients sign off on a final sketch before jewelry construction begins. Once, she presented a one-carat diamond wedding band to a client it, arguing that he had selected a different design. Deliver first-class service. Happy customers are walking advertisements, says Le Mignot. If a client wants a piece resized or cleaned, she's happy to oblige, regardless of when she made the sale. Do your homework. Choose suppliers, such as jewelry wax carvers, based on references from respected jewelry boutiques and merchants. Jewelry was carves make sure final designs can support the chosen stones. "Your name is on it, so you have to make sure it's done right." Le Mignot says. Join an organization. The Independent Jewelers Organization (www.ijo.cem) helps independent retailers compete with major chains. The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (www.jvclegal.org) is a trade organization that reports on ethical standards for the industry. The Jewelry Information Center (www.jic.org) provides a broad range of information about fine jewelry, such as its history, trends, and shopping tips. |
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